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brain research

Research articles and news stories tagged with brain research

The illustration shows the hippocampus in the brain.

·May 10, 2013·3 min read

Experience Leads to the Growth of New Brain Cells

Researchers examine how individuality develops through adult neurogenesis; the generation of new neurons in the hippocampus which allows the brain to react flexibly to new information.

The illustration shows a cut away to the brain areas associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Featured Neurology

·May 10, 2013·3 min read

Cancer Drug Prevents Build-up of Toxic Brain Protein

Using a tiny dose of the leukemia drug nilotinib, researchers halt the accumulation of toxic proteins linked to Parkinson's diseases in the brains of mice.

This MRI scan of the brain highlights the cerebellum.

Featured Genetics Neurology

·May 10, 2013·3 min read

Stem Cell Researchers Move Toward Treatment for Rare Genetic Nerve Disease

Researchers use induced pluripotent stem cells to advance disease-in-a-dish modeling of ataxia telangiectasia, a rare genetic disorder associated with progressive loss of function in the cerebellum. Their discovery shows the positive effects of drugs that may lead to effective new treatments for the neurodegenerative disease.

The image shows the dopamine pathway in the brain.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 10, 2013·5 min read

Cocaine Vaccine Passes Key Testing Hurdle

Researchers have successfully tested a new vaccine in primates to battle cocaine addiction. Using neuroimaging techniques, they demonstrated the vaccine prevents cocaine from reaching the brain and producing a dopamine induced high. Human trials could begin within the next year.

This is an old schematic of an artificial arm and hand.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 9, 2013·3 min read

Sense of Touch Reproduced Through Prosthetic Hand

Artificial sensors in a prosthetic hand allows rhesus macaques to sense tactile stimulus, according to a new study. A similar device could be used in human trials within the next year, researchers hope.

The image is a montage of images showing an oligodendrocyte precursor cell. The caption best describes the image.

Featured Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos

·May 9, 2013·3 min read

Researchers Discover Dynamic Behavior of Progenitor Cells in Brain

Monitoring progenitor cells in the brains of living mice, researchers discover these cells remain highly dynamic in the adult brain. Progenitor cells can transform into cells that insulate nerve fibers and help form scars that aid in tissue repair, study suggests.

The image shows a graph comparing the perception times between individuals with and without autism.

Autism Featured

·May 8, 2013·3 min read

Enhanced Motion Detection in Autism May Point to Underlying Cause of the Disorder

A new study finds children with autism see simple movements twice as quickly as their non-autistic peers. This hypersensitivity to motion could provide clues to one of the fundamental causes of autism.

Featured Neurology

·May 8, 2013·2 min read

Brain Anatomy of Dyslexia Is Not the Same in Men and Women, Boys and Girls

Researchers discover significant sex-based brain anatomy differences between males and females with dyslexia.

The image shows a brain affected by severe alzheimer's disease.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 7, 2013·3 min read

Turning Alzheimer’s Fuzzy Signals Into High Definition

Researchers have discovered how cholinesterase inhibitors, a class of drug that prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine, could sharpen the brain's performance in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

The image is a brain scan with an arrow pointing to the thalamus.

Featured Neurology

·May 7, 2013·3 min read

Restless Legs Syndrome, Insomnia And Brain Chemistry: A Tangled Mystery Solved?

Using neuroimaging, researchers discovered glutamate levels are abnormally high in people with restless leg syndrome. The higher the level of glutamate in patients with RLS, the less sleep they were able to get.

The diagram shows how adrenocorticotropin hormone is secreted in Cushing's disease.

Featured Genetics

·May 7, 2013·3 min read

Scientists Find Potential Therapeutic Target for Cushing’s Disease

Researchers have identified that the TR4 protein, which regulates a gene that produces ACTH, drives the formation of pituitary tumors in Cushing's disease.

The image shows an implanted vagus nerve device.

Featured Neurology

·May 7, 2013·3 min read

Nerve Stimulation for Severe Depression Changes Brain Function

Preliminary brain scan studies reveal how vagus nerve stimulation brings about changes in brain metabolism weeks prior to patients with depression entering into recovery.